The sense of smell is a powerful motivator. When prospective buyers walk into a house, they respond more positively if they smell freshly baking oatmeal cookies instead of the lingering odor of a household pet.

As the homeowner, you may not notice odors that visitors are aware of as soon as they walk in the door. When your house is for sale, ask a friend or neighbor to give it a "sniff test". If there are offensive odors in your home, how do you get rid of them?

There are a few simple solutions--giving the floors and walls a good scrubbing, using the old vanilla-on-the-light-bulb trick, plugging in an essential oil diffuser and throwing out the dog's special chair. You can temporarily declare your home a "no smoking" zone. You may need professional help for cleaning carpets and drapes or deodorizing walls and wood floors. Your real estate agent will be able to provide you with a list of cleaning services which can assist you in making your home smell clean and fresh.

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